Tips to Get Your Home Ready for Professional Flea Control

Serving Chicago Illinois and Indiana

Fleas are persistent parasites that can quickly multiply and spread throughout your home. Once they’ve moved in, eliminating them without expert help can be nearly impossible. Partnering with a licensed pest control company gives you the best chance at wiping out every stage of the infestation.

Before your scheduled appointment, taking a few preparation steps can make your treatment more effective. Here’s a complete guide on how to prepare your home, what to expect after service, and how to maintain results long-term.

Steps to Take Before Your Flea Treatment

• Vacuum every area thoroughly: Focus on carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture, especially places that your pets sleep or rest. Don’t forget to clean under cushions and along baseboards where eggs and larvae may be hiding.
• Clean or replace pet bedding: Wash all bedding, blankets, or fabric toys your pets use. If the infestation is severe, it’s best to discard heavily infested items to avoid reintroducing fleas later.
• Empty your vacuum contents outside: Immediately seal the vacuum bag or canister debris in a plastic bag and dispose of it outdoors. This prevents fleas or eggs from escaping and starting the cycle again.
• Remove clutter and clear access points: Move furniture, boxes, and other obstacles away from walls and floors to give your technician full access to infested areas.
• Leave your home during treatment: All occupants, including pets, must vacate the home during service. Birds should also be removed, but fish tanks can stay if properly covered and unplugged.

Steps to Take After Flea Treatment

• Wait until treated surfaces are fully dry: Keep pets and children off treated floors for at least 24 hours after drying. Once it’s safe, you can resume your normal routine.
• Avoid mopping or carpet cleaning for one week: Give the treatment time to remain active. Cleaning too soon can remove the product before it’s had a chance to target newly hatched fleas.
• Expect some visible flea activity: Seeing adult fleas after treatment is completely normal, it means the treatment is doing its job. These are fleas emerging from pupae that are now exposed to the insecticide.
• Consult your veterinarian: Pest control professionals treat your home, but not your pets. Be sure to work with your vet to treat your pets directly and maintain ongoing flea prevention.

What Happens in the Weeks Following Treatment

Because fleas can live on pets, inside your home, and even outdoors, long-term success depends on addressing all three areas.

Speak with your pest control provider about outdoor treatment options, and consult your veterinarian for a continuous flea protection plan for your pets.

• In the days following treatment, you may notice a short-term increase in flea activity as the remaining pupae hatch. This is expected and shows that the residual insecticide is working.
• Vacuum daily for the first week after treatment to help eliminate emerging fleas and stimulate any remaining eggs to hatch. Focus on areas where pets spend the most time, as well as baseboards, rugs, and furniture. Avoid washing carpets during this period to preserve the effectiveness of the treatment.
• Empty vacuums immediately after each use and discard the contents outdoors in a sealed plastic bag.
• Launder pet bedding frequently, using the hottest water and dryer settings.
• If your pets are receiving vet-approved flea prevention, they’ll help eliminate any new adult fleas that may emerge after treatment by killing them upon contact.

Why Preparation and Follow-Up Matter

Following the preparation and aftercare instructions isn’t just a suggestion, it’s essential for complete flea elimination. Here’s why:

• Vacuuming before treatment exposes eggs and larvae, allowing the pesticide to reach more areas effectively.
• Regular vacuuming after treatment helps hatch remaining pupae, ensuring they come into contact with the product.
• Treating pets and outdoor spaces removes the fleas’ food sources and breeding grounds, preventing re-infestation.

Need Help with Flea Control?

At Terminix Anderson, we’re committed to helping homeowners in Illinois achieve lasting relief from fleas. Preparing your home properly before and after treatment helps ensure the best results possible.

If you have any questions or need guidance before your scheduled service, don’t be afraid to reach out. Our experts are here to help you every step of the way.

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